Stay At Yasodhara FAQ

The Ashram is in the southern interior of British Columbia, about midway between Calgary and Vancouver, and north of Idaho. Please refer to our Getting Here page for more information on bus, plane and ferry schedules, and for driving directions and times.

Yes. Visitors are welcome year round between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please register in the bookstore and we will give you a site map for your self-guided tour.
We are also offering a special day program, A Taste of the Ashram. Call or e-mail to pre-register for these summer sessions that include a yoga class, lunch and a guided tour of the Ashram gardens, Temple and environmental initiatives.

We encourage guests to remain on the property for the duration of the program to receive the maximum benefit from their time here. If you do need to leave the Ashram grounds at any time, please notify the office (for our emergency procedures purposes.)
If you are interested in visiting the local area, plan time before or after your stay. There are lovely artisan shops in Crawford Bay and a hot springs at Ainsworth.

Many of the Ashram residents have taken vows of celibacy. We ask all guests to observe this tapas (austerity) while here. It is an opportunity to observe your physical and mental habits and examine the role of sex in your life. Many people have commented that this short-term restraint allowed their energy to be refocused. It also helps create an open, safe atmosphere in the Ashram.
Everyone is asked to dress modestly and to refrain from entering each other’s private living spaces for the purpose of socializing.
If you are married or in a relationship, you are very welcome to be at the Ashram. We ask couples to observe celibacy while here and will give you separate accommodations. Families will be accommodated together or in neighbouring rooms.

Family members are very welcome at the Ashram. We are an intergenerational community with offerings for children, elders and everyone in-between. Family members are welcome to take a course, be on retreat or participate in Karma Yoga. There is Family Week each summer and the Children’s Program especially designed for children whose parents are on course.

Pets are not allowed, partly due to guest sensitivities and partly because of our remote wilderness location. We want to minimize the risk of disturbing the extensive wildlife in our natural habitat and we also wish to avoid any harm coming to your pets.

The Ashram is located in a mountainous, rural setting. We do not offer wheelchair accessibility, but we can offer transport between buildings and we do our best to provide assistance to guests with limited mobility. Please call ahead to be sure we can accommodate your needs.
In terms of participation in Hatha Yoga, our gentle approach encourages practitioners to listen to their own bodies and adjust the practice in ways that are suitable to them – for example, visualizing if physically doing a pose is not an option.

We have two main guest buildings – Saraswati Lodge, which is a classic cedar lodge and the Barn, which is a renovated barn converted to a beautiful residence using green technology. Rooms have single beds, closets, dressers and desks. Most rooms are shared with one other person and most bathrooms are also shared. All linens and towels are provided.
Additionally, we have special retreat accommodation options:
Creek Cabin is an original log cabin that was recently upgraded with a private bathroom. It offers privacy and a lovely independent setting right on the Ashram main grounds. Ask for details and rates.
We sometimes have vacancies at Yasodhara Heights, which are independent eco-cabins above the Riondel Road. The Heights cabins have private kitchens and are completely furnished. Ask for details and rates.

We serve three nutritious, organic meals daily. Vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free and bean-free options are always available. We occasionally serve humanely-sourced chicken and fish for those who include it in their diets.
An afternoon fruit snack is available for Karma Yogis. Tea, coffee and sometimes freshly-baked cookies are available for purchase. Our bookstore also carries snacks such as power bars, chocolate bars, nuts and dried fruit.

We always provide options for those with wheat, dairy and bean sensitivities. The ingredients for each menu item are listed. If you have special needs, such as a gluten-free diet, you may want to bring some of your own supplies such as gluten-free bread.
A fridge and cupboard space are available to guests for necessary supplies. However we cannot offer cooking facilities; therefore if you are bringing meal items they should be prepared ahead or easy to heat in a microwave.
Our kitchen prepares a large variety of foods. If you have severe allergies (such as nut allergies), please bring emergency medication. We do not have a nut-free kitchen.
Please note that the Ashram is 1.5 hours from the nearest hospital, and 3 hours from larger hospitals with specialized services. Because of our isolated rural setting, ambulance services are not always immediately available and at best take 20-30 minutes to arrive. Although we have first aid attendants onsite and a medical clinic nearby (open 3 days/week and without emergency services), our ability to respond to medical emergencies is limited. If you have a serious allergies, or any potentially life-threatening disease, it is essential to check with us prior to registering.

Please bring outdoor work clothes, waterproof footwear, loose-fitting clothing for Hatha Yoga, slippers or indoor shoes and an alarm clock. Dress is casual, though you may want something special for satsangs and celebrations. Bring seasonal clothing such as warm boots with good traction for winter, a modest bathing suit for summer. You may also want to bring a phone card, a journal, a prayer shawl and your personal yoga mat (although we have mats and blankets available.)
Be sure to have adequate medical coverage and bring along any medications that you may need during your stay.

Both wireless internet access and public computer terminals are available at Kali’s Café, from 7:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Pay phones are located in guest residences and at Mandala House, with phone cards for purchase in the bookstore. There is limited cell phone reception in our immediate location.